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COSHOCTON – Shirley Fortune wasn't nervous or excited for her wedding day 50 years ago; she was just relieved everything was assembled in time for the ceremony and reception at the new Roscoe United Methodist Church building.

Shirley and Robert "Pinky" Fortune became the first couple married in the structure Oct. 17, 1964. When asked whether the congregation still feels like family to them, Pinky holds his hand out to symbolize a stack of more than 60 50th anniversary cards they recently received, most from church members.

While the congregation can trace back to 1826, the current structure opened in 1964 with a few additions over the years. A celebration to recognize the building's anniversary is slated for Sunday.

While a church is more than a building, members said they think having a first-class facility has allowed them to serve the community with an annual holiday bazaar, vacation Bible school and other events. Anniversary committee member Bob Boyd said people who aren't church members have been married there because they like the tall ceiling in the sanctuary and the wide middle aisle for the bride to walk down.

Boyd recalls the need for Sunday classrooms led to the construction of the new building. Students were plugged into every corner of the sanctuary and even in an old coal cellar at their former home.

"It's certainly a centerpiece. It tied us all together," Boyd said of the church. "There's a lot of denominations and churches around and available to people, but we've tried to keep an open door and everyone is welcome."

Roscoe UMC is known for the lighted cross that sits on the hill off High Street. Committee member Harold Olinger said drivers on U.S. 36 and pilots flying into Richard Downing Airport have called the church on how it serves as a landmark for them as they pass by.

Harold said his cousin, Paul Olinger, had the idea for the cross at the church's old building just a little further up the hill. His idea was for it to serve as an inspiration to soldiers who passed by on troop trains.

Harold, 93, said he's been a member for about 85 years. Boyd joined in 1946, and Pinky said he's been with the church since he was 2 weeks old. Another member since almost birth is Sherri Finnell Gibson, who was the first baby baptized in the new building.

"It's something very special about having roots and knowing where those roots are," she said. "I feel this church and this congregation is so worth the investment."

Gibson and her husband, Mark, served as the youth directors for the church for about 10 years. Her fondest memory is of the Easter lock-in and sunrise service offered annually. Youth would stay in the church and prepare it for a breakfast and early morning service while also playing games and hanging out. It was a tradition long before the Gibsons were the youth directors.

Their two daughters participated in the lock-ins for many years and often invited friends who weren't church members. Gibson said they would have kids from about five churches for the event. For Gibson, raising her children with a Christian foundation like she received at Roscoe UMC was important.

"There was stability and predictability in the lessons learned and people interacted with," Gibson said. "I think it's important to be someplace where you want to invite others. You want to invite your friends, you want your kids to invite their friends. It's how you know you're in the right place."

llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com

740-295-3417

Twitter: @llhayhurst

If you go

Special services will be 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday at Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High St., in honor of the building's 50th anniversary.

The morning service will feature a special arrangement of "Bless this House" by Darius McBride, a music education major from Malone University. A hog roast and covered dish luncheon will follow at noon. The afternoon service will feature a look back in history and various speakers, including Pastor Ralph Hollingsworth, who was the church pastor upon the move to the new building.